"Help!"
Again came that cry, and Nell moved forward, pushed open the door and
flashed her light over the scene--a room much smaller than the one she
had just quitted.
A dark object writhing on the floor startled her vision.
"Old woman, do you mean to murder me here?"
The man seemed to imagine that the new comer was the hag who kept the
place. With trembling step Nell Darrel advanced and flashed her light
into the face of a bound and helpless prisoner.
"Mercy! It is Dyke!"
Stunned at the discovery, Nell was completely overcome for the time,
and stood with arms extended like one petrified.
"Nell, is it you?" cried the yet stunned detective. "Where is the old
hag who rules this den of iniquity?"
"Back yonder, safely locked in a room," said Nell, when she could find
voice.
"And you did it?"
"Yes."
"Cut these cords, brave girl, and we will soon be out of this."
Placing her lamp on a box near, Nell Darrel proceeded to comply with
the request of her brother. She had with her a small open knife, and
this came into play neatly enough.
Soon the detective's limbs were free. He found when he attempted to
rise, that he was unable to do so.
"I received a bad fall," he said, with a groan.
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